Studio Ghibli emerges out of its shell to bring us a gorgeously unique new animated film.
[dropcap size=small]E[/dropcap]ven though the masterful Hayao Miyazaki has left his animating days behind him and gone into retirement, Studio Ghibli has certainly not been slowing down. Teaming up with Wild Bunch for a French and Japanese collaborative project, the studio is set to bring us a brand new animated film this year – and it’s a very promising one at that.
The Red Turtle (aka La Tortue Rouge), which is brought to us by French Oscar-winning animator, Michael Dudok de Wit – who has animator credits on the Disney classic, Fantasia/2000 – follows the major life stages of a castaway on a deserted tropical island, with crabs, birds, and turtles for company.
Check out the beautiful trailer below:
What makes this new project so interesting is that it is completely dialogue-less, which really emphasises the isolated nature of the island. Without dialogue, it adds an engaging, immersive feel to the films surroundings; as the only sounds we hear are the ambient noises of the ocean and the island’s inhabitants, accompanied by an utterly gorgeous soundtrack.
In-keeping with Ghibli’s amazing track record for delivering outstanding animated films, this new project looks beautiful, with a stunning animation style that is truly a work of art, and an absolute treat on the eyes.
Studio Ghibli are nothing if not inventive story-tellers, with every film packed with feeling, intriguing characters, and animated art styles that awaken the imagination. The Red Turtle looks set to continue Ghibli’s legacy and then some, with another interesting, character-driven story, with a notable twist.
Without the use of dialogue, the film is stripped down in certain respects, giving it a uniquely raw, yet refined quality. Our attention is doubly drawn to the animated emotions and actions of the protagonists, and how they interact with their surroundings, which gives the simplistic idea of the film a subtle level of complexity.
The film is certainly a very noteworthy release, and looks set to be a thought-provoking, striking, and aesthetically appealing French and Japanese animated collaboration from the revered animation studio.
The Red Turtle is set to debut at the Cannes Film Festival May 20th this year, with a release in France (29th June) and Japan (17 Sepetember) to follow shortly after. Other international dates have not yet been announced.
